Grounds Upkeep for Grafton National Cemetery -- S208

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide grounds maintenance services for Grafton National Cemetery, ensuring it is maintained as a national shrine with the utmost care, reverence, and dignity.

• Lawn Maintenance: Mowing, trimming, and edging approximately 3 acres of turf. This includes maintaining specific grass heights (3" in cooler months, 4" in warmer months), using appropriate equipment (rear-discharge or mulching mowers), and ensuring clean cuts without damaging turf or headstones. Special attention is required for slopes and around headstones, markers, and trees.

• Trash, Leaf & Debris Removal: Collecting and removing all trash, dead flowers, tree limbs (under 10" diameter), leaves, and other debris from all cemetery grounds and surrounding areas. This includes emptying trash receptacles and cleaning drainage ditches.

• Snow & Ice Removal: Clearing snow (when exceeding 1" depth) and ice from driveways, walkways, steps, and designated surrounding areas. This includes clearing paths for interments during the snow season.

• NCA Standards: Adherence to specific standards for turf maintenance (e.g., 95% of visually prominent turf maintained within one inch of recommended height, turf around headstones trimmed to recommended height) and debris-free grounds.

• Timeliness: Mowing and trimming from April 1st to November 30th. Trash removal weekly from April 15th to November 15th. Snow removal initiated when snowfall exceeds 1".

• Quality: Grass clippings and debris must be removed promptly. Equipment must be clean to prevent weed contamination. Damage to cemetery property (headstones, markers, etc.) must be avoided; any damage caused by the contractor must be repaired at their expense.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (04/05/2026—04/04/2027) with four option years through 04/04/2031.

• Place of Performance: Grafton National Cemetery, Grafton, West Virginia.

• Contractor Personnel: Must maintain professional conduct and dress standards, show reverence, and avoid disruptive behavior. A Site Manager must be on-site at all times.

• Safety: Adherence to OSHA standards, use of appropriate safety equipment, and prevention of hazards to the public and employees.

• Coordination: Work must be coordinated with the Cemetery Director/COR and must not interfere with interment services or ceremonies. Burial activities take precedence.

• Equipment: Contractor must provide all necessary labor, materials, tools, supplies, and equipment. Specialized interment equipment is provided by the Government. Use of specific mower types is required. MSDS required for all chemicals used.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for grounds upkeep services at Grafton National Cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, is seeking a contractor to perform these services.

• Comprehensive grounds maintenance services, including routine care and management of lawns, gardens, trees, and walkways.

• Specific tasks and responsibilities will be detailed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

• Quoters must demonstrate capabilities in organizational control, subcontractor management, and performing similar work.

• Key personnel with relevant experience in grounds maintenance must be identified.

• A detailed Work Plan/Staffing Plan is required, including methodology, estimated man-hours, and a list of equipment.

• Contractors must provide information on required permits and insurance.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: Base period plus 4 option years (if exercised).

• Place of Performance: Grafton National Cemetery, Grafton, WV 26354.

• Submission Deadline: February 23, 2026, by 12:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Electronically via email to marshand.boone@va.gov.

• Quoters must submit proposals in four separate files: Volume A (Company Information), Volume B (Technical), Volume C (Past Performance), and Volume D (Pricing - Excel spreadsheet).

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible Quoter whose quote is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. Technical and Past Performance combined are more important than price.

• Site Visit: Mandatory site visit on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Contact marshand.boone@va.gov to arrange.

• Questions Deadline: February 2, 2026, by 12:00 PM EST. Submit via email to marshand.boone@va.gov and Joselito.Roman@va.gov.

• This acquisition is set-aside exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• Applicable NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services).

• Business Size Standard: $9.5 million.

• SDVOSB/VOSB concerns must be registered and certified at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/.

• All Quoters must be registered in SAM.gov.

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference; full text available at www.acquisition.gov.

• Quoters are responsible for obtaining all amendments from Sam.gov.

• The Government intends to make award without discussions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for lawn maintenance services at the Grafton National Cemetery, located at 431 Walnut Street, Grafton, WV 26354. The services include mowing, trimming, edging, and trash/debris/leaf removal. Snow and ice removal services are also included.

• Lawn Maintenance: Mowing all turf areas, removing grass and debris clippings.

• Trimming: Weekly trimming services.

• Edging: Bi-weekly edging services.

• General Grounds Clean-up: Collection and removal of leaves, debris, and trash, including cleaning of sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas.

• Snow and Ice Removal: Services for sidewalks, parking areas, steps, driveways, and lodge areas, to be performed after at least 1 inch of snow accumulation.

• The solicitation outlines a base year with four option years.

• Base Year: Approximately April 5, 2026, to April 4, 2027.

• Option Year I: Approximately April 5, 2027, to April 4, 2028.

• Option Year II: Approximately April 5, 2028, to April 4, 2029.

• Option Year III: Approximately April 5, 2029, to April 4, 2030.

• Option Year IV: Approximately April 5, 2030, to April 4, 2031.

• A price schedule is provided with estimated quantities for each service.

• Quantities are estimates and subject to change based on weather conditions, with the government reserving the right to increase or decrease quantities without equitable price adjustments.

• Delivery orders can be issued orally, by facsimile, mail, or e-mail.

• Not specified in the provided text.

• The document includes a detailed price schedule with line items for each service and corresponding estimated quantities, unit prices, and total costs for each contract year.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4353, Revision No. 30) for the Service Contract Act (SCA). It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing services in specific counties of West Virginia. The determination is dated 12/03/2025 and applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017, or those subject to Executive Order 13658 between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022.

This wage determination establishes the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to service employees working on a federal contract covered by the Service Contract Act within the specified West Virginia counties. Bidders must incorporate these rates into their proposals to ensure compliance with federal labor laws. Key details include:

• Geographic Scope: West Virginia Counties of Barbour, Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Lewis, Marion, Mason, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel.
• Occupational Wage Rates: A comprehensive list of occupations with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates is provided.
• Fringe Benefits: Required fringe benefits include Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 8 years, 4 weeks after 15 years) and 11 paid holidays.
• Executive Orders: Compliance with Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage) is noted, with specific hourly rates and conditions for each.
• Conformance Process: Instructions are provided for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in this determination, using Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444).
• Hazardous Pay: Differentials for working with ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials are detailed (8% for high hazard, 4% for low hazard).
• Uniform Allowance: Guidelines for uniform provision and maintenance reimbursement are outlined.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire intended to gather feedback on a contractor's performance for a specific contract. It is designed to be completed by a customer or contracting officer who has experience with the contractor.

• Fields for Company Name, Contract Number, Type of Work, Contract Period, and Estimated Contract Award Amount.
• A rating scale from 1 (unacceptable) to 5 (superior performance), with an option for Not Applicable (NA), to evaluate various aspects of performance.
• Specific areas for evaluation include:
  • Compliance with contractual terms and technical requirements.
  • Cooperation in resolving customer requests and complaints.
  • Flexibility in satisfying customer requirements.
  • Adherence to response times.
  • Accuracy and clarity of invoices.
  • Overall performance rating.
  • Likelihood of awarding to the company again.
• Comment sections are provided for each evaluation area to allow for detailed feedback.

This questionnaire is relevant to bidders as it outlines the types of performance metrics and customer satisfaction factors that are likely to be considered in past performance evaluations for future opportunities. Understanding these criteria can help bidders prepare to provide relevant information about their own past performance or to anticipate the type of feedback that may be solicited from their references.